It gets mighty cold up there
on the chair lift. Especially when your favorite place
to go snowboarding has nothing but a relic of a lift
from the 1950s, and moves slower than you could hike
to the summit. But my boyfriend and I love the Blue
Hills in Canton, MA, so the only solution was a proper
hat.

Unfortunately, a traditional
rolled brim just wouldn't do, and ear flaps leave
the back of the neck exposed. Designed to be the perfect
ski hat, the long back keeps the neck warm on the
chair lift, while the doubled-up wool in the middle
keeps the ears warm too.

Because of the ribbing's
serious stretch, this hat will fit just about any
adult. Ask Chris -- I borrow it all the time.

Back flap is worked back and
forth on circular needle, then additional sts are
cast on and the crown of the hat is worked in the
round.When shaping crown,
switch to double-point needles when necessary.

Increase Row [RS]:
Kfb, work in rib as set to last st, kfb.Next Row [WS]: Work all sts in patt as set,
incorporating new sts into rib patt.
Repeat these 2 rows twice more. 44 sts.
Cont in patt as set until work measures 3 inches.
Join CC and work with both yarns held tog. Cont
in patt as set until work measures 5 inches, ending
with a WS row.Next Row [RS]: CO 3 sts, work new sts in
patt and cont in patt to end, CO 3 sts.Next Row [WS]: Work all sts in patt as set.
Repeat these 2 rows once more.Next Row [RS]:
CO 3 sts, work new sts in patt and cont in patt
to end, CO 3 sts, place marker and join to begin
working in the round. There will be 4 k sts at center
front of hat, forming one wide rib. 62 sts on needle.Work 2 more rounds
in patt as set.Work 30 sts of next
round, break CC yarn.Cont
in patt as set with MC until work measures 8 inches
from beg.